The Seed of the Sacred Fig: A Political Drama Born from Peril, Triumph, and Global Acclaim

Cast & Crew: A Visionary Collaboration Behind The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Starring: Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki
Directed, Written & Co-Produced by: Mohammad Rasoulof
Music by: Nima Rakhshan
Edited by: Mohammad Rasoulof

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) is a powerful political drama, set against the backdrop of the 2022-2023 protests in Iran that intertwines personal turmoil with the larger societal upheaval following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, which sparked the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and the Mahsa Revolution in Iran.

The film follows Iman (Missagh Zareh), an investigating judge in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, who becomes increasingly paranoid as political unrest engulfs the country following the death of a young woman. Amidst this chaos, Iman discovers that his gun has gone missing, and his suspicions grow toward his wife Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and teen daughters Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). As the tension between personal distrust and political turmoil rises, the line between reality and delusion blurs. The film combines fictional storytelling with real footage of the brutal protests, offering a haunting portrayal of a society on the brink of revolution. With its intricate narrative and emotionally charged atmosphere, the film keeps viewers on edge, leaving them anticipating the intense conclusion.

The making of The Seed of the Sacred Fig was fraught with immense challenges and emotional trauma for writer-director and co-producer Mohammad Rasoulof. Amidst the volatile political climate in Iran, Rasoulof, who had already faced government censorship and restrictions, was sentenced to eight years in prison before the film’s completion. Despite this, he managed to flee Iran and take the project to Germany, where it garnered attention and acclaim.

The film had its world premiere at the prestigious 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where it was nominated for the Palme d’Or and went on to win the Special Jury Prize. The journey to the Cannes red carpet was marked by Rasoulof’s personal struggles, including the threat of imprisonment and the difficulty of working under such a tense and dangerous environment.

The film garnered widespread critical acclaim and was released in theaters in France on September 18, 2024, followed by its German release on December 26, 2024. It was honored as the Best International Film of 2024 by the National Board of Review. At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, the film earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language. It also received a nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 78th British Academy Film Awards. Additionally, it was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards as Germany’s official entry.

After its success in Europe, the film found its way to a wider international audience, including a release in India on January 24, 2024, by Impact Films. Rasoulof’s journey—from perilous exile to global recognition—illustrates the indomitable spirit of the filmmaker in the face of overwhelming adversity.